The FA Cup is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in England. Each year, clubs from all levels of English football compete for the cup – but each year, the title is decided between high-profile EPL teams. The upcoming first semifinal in this year’s FA Cup will be played by Chelsea vs Man City. Let’s see which of the two teams has the better chance to win this highly anticipated match.
The Road So Far
Chelsea has a great track record in this year’s FA Cup. The Blues turned a goalless draw against Aston Villa into a 3-1 victory in the second leg, then beat Leeds United and Leicester City in matches in February and March. It’s the sixth time in the last seven years that Mauricio Pochettino’s boys have reached the FA Cup semifinal. Five times of these six they advanced to the final.
Manchester City has plowed through its opponents in all stages of the FA Cup so far. This year, the Citizens beat Huddersfield, Tottenham, Luton, and Newcastle – their lowest margin was a 1-goal victory over the Spurs. City reached the FA Cup semifinals five times in the last 7 years – this is their sixth.
Injured Players
City has two players who might not play in the FA Cup semifinal: Ake, whose injury will keep him sidelined until the middle of the month, and Walker, who may also watch the match from the stands. A lot depends on how fast they recover from their injuries.
Over at Chelsea, the list of injuries is longer. Chilwell and Sanchez may return in time for the match against City. But Colwill, Nkunku, James, Lavia, and Fofana are out – they may return for the FA Cup final, so we’ll have to keep an eye out for the news.
Chelsea vs Man City: Head-to-Head
Both Manchester City and Chelsea have impressed fans in their last games in the Premier League. Neither of them lost any of their last matches in the Premier League or the FA Cup. Chelsea is behind in the EPL, not threatening City’s position. The Citizens, in turn, are just one victory behind Liverpool and Arsenal, in the top 3. Of course, the top 3 in the EPL is incredibly fluid this year, so the ranking will likely change in the next two weeks.
What’s At Stake?
The upcoming FA Cup semifinal is a question of prestige for both teams. Both of them have rich histories and a trophy cabinet filled with silverware – adding another one to the collection would matter. A victory would give them both a confidence boost, and it would matter the most to their fans. Plus, such an important victory would look great on the players’ and managers’ CVs. Not to mention the R23,5 million prize.
What To Expect?
Mauricio Pochettino is well-known for his flexible tactics and capability to adapt to any opponent on the fly. It will be interesting to see his tactic against City’s possession-based game. If this game is like most Chelsea-City clashes, we can expect high-intensity, fast-paced action that will put both teams to the test. The FA Cup semifinal between Chelsea and Manchester City promises a high-octane clash filled with strategic depth, individual brilliance, and intense competitiveness.
What The Bookmakers Are Saying
Are you planning to bet on the 20214 FA Cup semifinal? According to the bookmakers, Manchester City is the favourite to win the clash with Chelsea. They expect City to score at least two goals, but not more than 4, and to qualify for the final. And if you wonder where you can bet on this important match, check out CasinosBonus.co.za for the latest reviews.
Chelsea vs Man City will be the top soccer match of the weekend. The two teams are both strong and have a great track record in the FA Cup so far. Pochettino’s tactical knowledge and Guardiola’s innovative spirit will clash on the Wembley Stadium on April 20th. We can hardly wait.